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Usury
The practice of profiting from money-lending at
a high rate of interest. In the Middle Ages, usury was
considered to be
any profit over 1 grosz per grzywna (one grzywna = 48
grosze).
Money-lending and usury constituted one of Jews� main
activities from
the Middle Ages through modern times. They turned to these
activities as
the result of increasing restrictions that were put on
Jewish trade and
crafts, and also because church legislation forbade
Christians from
taking profits as the result of money-lending.
(H.W./CM)
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